The Howard High School varsity football team will play a home playoff game against Leonardtown High School today at 6 p.m. in Ellicott City, MD.
What: Maryland High School Football
Who: Howard (MD) vs Leonardtown (MD)
When: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Leonardtown vs. Howard Football: A Statistical Breakdown
As we head into the latter part of the season, let’s take a closer look at two standout Maryland high school football teams: Leonardtown and Howard. These teams have had contrasting experiences this season, with Leonardtown maintaining a solid 6-4 record and Howard dominating with a 9-1 record. In this article, we’ll compare their performances based on various key statistics and team leaders.
Season Overview
- Leonardtown: With a 6-4 overall record, Leonardtown has shown resilience. Their regional performance stands at 4-3, and they’ve managed to secure a 5-1 home record, but their struggles on the road (1-3) have been noticeable. Despite a respectable 244 points scored and 211 points allowed, their 60% overall win rate indicates some room for improvement, especially in away games.
- Howard: On the other hand, Howard has had an outstanding season with a 9-1 record. Their regional performance of 7-1 and perfect 5-0 home record reflect their dominance on both sides of the ball. Howard has scored a total of 247 points and allowed just 94, a stark contrast to Leonardtown’s performance. Howard’s 90% overall win percentage and an 87.5% regional win rate highlight their prowess throughout the season.
Team Scoring Averages
Looking at the scoring averages, Leonardtown has had a tough time finding consistency throughout the game. With an average of 24.4 points per game, they’ve managed to score most of their points in the second quarter (7.0). However, the lack of scoring in other quarters, particularly in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th, suggests that Leonardtown may struggle to build momentum early and late in games.
In comparison, Howard averages a slightly higher 24.7 points per game. Their offensive spread is more balanced, with 5.0 points in the 1st quarter, but it is their consistency across all four quarters that stands out. Howard’s ability to score in every quarter—albeit in smaller amounts—shows a level of offensive consistency that has been a major part of their success this season.
Statistical Comparison
| Stat | Leonardtown | Howard |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards/Game | 221.6 | 75.0 |
| Passing Yards/Game | 41.5 | 63.3 |
| Receiving Yards/Game | 43.5 | 64.2 |
| Total Yards/Game | 263.1 | 138.3 |
| Tackles/Game | 47.0 | 14.4 |
| Sacks/Game | 2.1 | 0.6 |
| Points/Game | 21.1 | 11.4 |
Leonardtown leads in many categories, particularly in rushing and total yards. Their powerful ground game (221.6 rushing yards per game) has been their primary strength, with a robust 263.1 total yards per game. However, their defensive numbers, including tackles per game (47.0), also stand out, indicating a strong focus on defense.
Howard, on the other hand, is far more balanced and efficient with their offensive strategy. Their passing game has been more effective (63.3 yards per game), and they’ve had better results in receiving yards (64.2). Despite having significantly fewer total yards per game (138.3), Howard’s strong defense and lower points allowed (94) make them a much tougher team to beat.
Key Players to Watch
- Leonardtown’s Key Players:
- Zach Meade: A standout on the ground, Meade is averaging 83.5 rushing yards per game and has contributed significantly to Leonardtown’s offensive production.
- Jameson Dyson: As the team’s primary quarterback, Dyson has thrown for 39.0 yards per game, though his passing could improve to complement the strong rushing attack.
- Dillon Hager: A defensive leader for Leonardtown, Hager has averaged 5.8 tackles per game.
- Howard’s Key Players:
- Darius Moore: Moore has been the heart of Howard’s rushing attack, leading with 109.3 yards per game, significantly more than Leonardtown’s Meade.
- Dylan Kimmel: The top quarterback for Howard, Kimmel has thrown for 126.6 yards per game, adding a balanced passing attack to the offense.
- Kenny Stevens: With 9.0 tackles per game, Stevens has been a dominant force on defense for Howard, helping the team allow just 94 points this season.
Record Breakdown
- Leonardtown:
- 6-4 Overall
- 4-3 League Record
- 1-3 Away Record
- 5-1 Home Record
- Howard:
- 9-1 Overall
- 7-1 League Record
- 4-1 Away Record
- 5-0 Home Record
Howard’s perfect home record and strong league performance stand in stark contrast to Leonardtown’s mixed results. Leonardtown’s success has primarily come at home, while their road games have been more challenging.
Conclusion
Howard’s 9-1 record highlights their overall dominance, marked by a solid defense, efficient offense, and consistent play across all four quarters. Leonardtown, while a strong team, has shown vulnerabilities, particularly in away games and a lack of offensive consistency in some quarters. However, their strong rushing attack and defense make them a formidable opponent.
As the season progresses, both teams will continue to refine their strategies, with Leonardtown focusing on building momentum throughout the game and Howard aiming to maintain their balanced and relentless approach.
